HL Deb 12 November 1997 vol 583 cc29-30WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer of Lord McIntosh of Haringey given on 27 October (WA 230), what are the reasons for withholding information about the terms of reference and membership of the Cabinet Office official committees which investigate issues, assemble material and present options for ministerial decisions.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The reason is to avoid the risk of politicisation of the Civil Service by publicly associating civil servants with specific policies.